As with anything else, a novice must start somewhere Not everyone is a great cook naturally. Most chefs have worked very hard to acquire their skills. Learn a few key pointers to become a great cook. The following paragraphs have some good advice that can point you down the right path.
If making stir-fry, meat must be cut on the bias and sliced thinly. Slicing the meat can take a lot of time and be rather tricky. Remove the meat when it is firm (but not frozen) and slice at a 45 degree angle across the grain of the meat.
It’s vital that you always use sharp knives when cooking. Dull knives make cutting difficult, but in addition, they are dangerous. When your knife is dull, it can be easier for it to slip off the vegetable and end up cutting you instead. Keep your knives sharp for safety as well as convenience.
Complete many steps when cooking something ahead of time. Check recipes to find out what can be prepared ahead of time without risking spoilage. Do the prep work the day before. This is a great time saver, and can make that complex recipe into something that is quick and fun.
After you make sauce, pour the leftovers into ice cube trays and place them in the freezer. This makes it easier for you to make a quick meal which you can reheat at a later time. Sauce cubes made this way are safe and will taste great!
Make a lot of stock if you are going to make it ahead of time. Fill a large pot of stock and freeze it for later. There’s nothing better than homemade chicken stock as a flavorful base for casseroles, stews and soups. Put the stock into freezer bags and put it in your freezer.
When you want to cook a pumpkin, stand it on its end and slice it in half. Put both halves of the pumpkin on different baking sheets with the cut side down. Toss a little water on the pans, and bake for roughly an hour at 350 degrees.
Cutting Board
Many strongly-scented vegetables and herbs will leave an odor on your cutting board, even if you clean it. Make a mark with permanent ink on the end of the cutting board, so you always know which side to use for the item that you’re cutting.
Put any of the unripened fruits you buy in a plastic bag with small holes on the bag. As the fruits get ripe, they’ll give off ethylene gas. By using the plastic bag with small holes, you are circulating the air in the bag which allows the fruit the retain its taste.
Prepare your meal ahead of time so you can leave it sitting for a few minutes. A lot of people do not wait long enough before serving food. You may be tempted to serve people as soon as the meal comes out of the oven. Unfortunately, this may cause you to miss the full effect. Always allow your meal to rest and cool down a little.
Evenly Spread Mayonnaise
For the perfect sandwich, you should take the extra time to evenly spread mayonnaise over the entire surface of the bread. People often spread the mayonnaise too quickly, resulting in uneven tasting parts. With evenly spread mayonnaise over the entire piece of bread, every bite of the sandwich is flavorful and perfect.
Don’t start cooking until your preparations are finished. This will keep you from being distracted while the food is cooking. It can be dangerous preparing ingredients while hot oil is cooking on the stove, for instance. Having everything ready beforehand is safer and less stressful.
When planning to barbecue, don’t forget the lead time necessary to get the grill hot when you are ready to use it. You should start preparing your grill around 30 minutes before you put the food on. Your coals should all have a coat of ash at this point and be medium hot. This is the ideal temperature for grilling.
Sauteing with too much food in the pan can lead to unwanted issues. The excess moisture can steam the food versus sauteing, minimizing the chances that you will get that crispness you want. Always saute over a low flame or low setting on your stove-top.
Fresh Herbs
Always use fresh seasonings and herbs whenever you cook something simple. In a more complex dish with many flavors, dried herbs can be acceptable. However, fresh herbs will brighten any dish and improve its flavor. You can plant an herb garden to make sure you always have your favorite fresh herbs available.
Most people do not have a natural talent for cooking but skills can be acquired with time and efforts. It really isn’t as hard as some people think. Implement what you’ve learned here when you make your next meal, and you’ll be cooking up a storm in no time.